The Volki

Chapter Six, Emotional

Sitting in the familiar comfort of the living room surrounded by my brothers and Papà, I felt a sense of belonging wash over me. Lotario's curiosity piqued as he leaned forward slightly, his eyes reflecting genuine interest. "So, Aliona, are you in college?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.

I couldn't help but smile at his question, knowing it would spark a conversation. "Actually, I've already graduated," I replied, hunching down a little with a big cheeky smile. "I completed my studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University Business School in Moscow, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Leadership."

Lotario's eyes widened in surprise, clearly impressed by my achievement. "Wow, you've already got a degree?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with admiration.

"Yes," I replied with a nod, a hint of pride in my voice. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it."

As the conversation shifted, Renato and Silvio shared their own academic pursuits. "I am currently in my first year at Polytechnic University of Milan, studying building and construction engineering," Renato explained.

Silvio chimed in, "And I'm also at Polytechnic, focusing on computer forensics and network administration."

Turning to Lotario, I raised an eyebrow playfully. "I'm guessing you also attend the same university?"

"You are spot on, sis," Lotario confirmed with a grin. "I am currently attending classes in Business Management."

Feeling my phone go off in my pocket, I pull it out to see Nikita calling me. "Sorry, I need to take this." I excuse myself, from my brothers.

Leaving the living room behind, I slipped into the kitchen, craving a moment of solitude even though I knew my brothers were likely to eavesdrop on my conversation. As I answered the phone, Nikita's urgent, panicked voice greeted me in Russian. "I can't find the Gorbachev file," she exclaimed in Russian, her distress evident even through the phone.

"Are you sure you didn't find it on my desk?" I questioned, trying to assist her in locating the missing document.

"I have checked four times now," Nikita replied back in Russian, frustration seeping into her tone as I heard the sound of papers being shuffled in the background.

"Did you put it away in the cabinet?" I asked, considering the possibility that she had inadvertently filed it away.

"You know I only put inactive files there," Nikita responded, her voice tinged with exasperation.

"Okay, let me see if I accidentally took it," I reassured her, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the urgency of the situation.

Still connected on the phone with Nikita, I make my way back to the living room, where my brothers are engaged in conversation. "Sorry, I need to check my bag," I hastily explained in English, as they could still see me on the phone.

Going through my tote and pulling out all the files I brought with me, I rifled through the contents, hoping to locate the elusive document. My frustration mounted as I discovered it tucked into another folder by mistake. "Damnit, I found it!" I groaned aloud in Russian, realizing the potential consequences of misplacing such a crucial file.

"The meeting is in 3 hours; I'm gonna have to get it from you," Nikita declared urgently over the phone, her tone conveying the gravity of the situation.

Realizing the urgency of the matter, I responded promptly, "You're right," acknowledging the importance of delivering the document on time. "Anything else?" I inquired, eager to ensure that all necessary preparations were in order.